Scandinavia

Faculty: Jillian Sokso, Brandon Waybright
Meeting Time: Thursday - 6:30 - 9:00PM

Student Cost: $2125
Travel Dates: May 6 - May 26, 2018

The Nordic/Scandanavian Junior’s Abroad experience will combine exploration of natural wonders such as deep green fjords and lagoons, boreal forests and glaciers, and volcanic parks, with Viking history, contemporary Nordic design, and medieval architecture. 

This trip will be a three week investigation into metropolitan centers of Sweden and Norway as well as views of more rural communities of the Scandinavian Peninsula. We hope to start the trip in Iceland, exploring Reykjavik and the surrounding region. Themes of the trip will include art, design and architecture, local food culture, adventure/hiking day-tripping, and agri-tourism. The trip destinations will base in Stockholm, Gothenberg, Oslo, Bergen and Reykjavik. 

On a scale of 1-5 activity level, with 5 being extremely strenuous, we would rate this trip as a 3. Participants must have the stamina to walk about 10 miles per day, including several day hikes over moderately rough terrain. Temperatures in Scandinavia at this time of year can range from 37-60 F. 

If you love nature and you are looking forward to seeing some incredible scenery, but also long to spend at least some time in a contemporary European setting, this trip is for you!

Preliminary Itinerary:

Day 1 Depart PDX

Day 2 Arrive Iceland early am, walking tour of hostel adjacent neighborhoods, group dinner

Day 3 Reykjavik- Park Ellioaardalur

Day 4 Volcanic Park day trip

Day 5 Blue Lagoon day trip

Day 6 Reykjavik- Hallgrimskirkja and whale watching

Day 7 Depart Iceland for Norway, fly into Bergen

Day 8 Bergen- funicular to Mt Floyen, hiking

Day 9 Bergen- city exploration

Day 10 Bergen to Oslo

Day 11 Oslo- Bike tour, OSL Contemporary, Astrup Fearnly Museum, Viking Ship Museum

Day 12 Oslo- Frognerseteren and Nordmarka. Cooking experience

Day 13 Oslo- Fjord Islands, meals at Mathallen

Day 14 Depart for Gothenberg

Day 15 Gothenberg- Gothenberg Museum of Art, Tradgardsforeningen

Day 16 Gothenburg- Feskekorka Market, Gothenberg Archipelago

Day 17 Stockholm- Djurgarden, Stockholm Cathedral, Drottingholm Palace

Day 18 Stockholm- Canal tour, Kungstragarden

Day 19 Stockholm- Free day to explore the city

Day 20 Stockholm- Harbour Tour, Garden Island, Vasa and Folk Museum

Day 21 Depart Sweden for US / arrive PDX late evening